Gladiolus Gladiolus 'Nathalie' (N)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Hard-care

ABOUT

Gladiolus 'Nathalie' is a striking plant with long, sword-like leaves that elegantly frame the stem. Bursting forth in the summer months, the plant showcases magnificent flower spikes that carry an array of beautiful, funnel-shaped flowers. The blossoms exhibit a delicate blend of colors, often featuring soft pinks, whites, or creamy hues that may be enhanced with subtle strokes or throats of contrasting color, creating a captivating display. The petals can sometimes have a ruffled or frilly edge, adding to their charm. Each flower spike typically bears multiple blossoms which open in succession from the bottom up, providing a prolonged period of floral beauty. The overall look of Gladiolus 'Nathalie' is one of classic elegance and vibrant spectacle, commonly included in gardens for their striking appearance and attractive, showy blooms.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Sword Lily, Gladiola, Glads
- Common names
  Gladiolus 'Nathalie'
Toxicity
- To humans
  The plant in question is the gladiolus. Gladioli are not highly toxic to humans, but they can cause mild symptoms if ingested. The corms (bulb-like structures at the base of the plant) are the most likely part to cause any reaction. If someone eats parts of a gladiolus, they might experience symptoms such as throat irritation, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Contact with the skin can sometimes cause dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
- To pets
  The gladiolus plant is considered to be mildly toxic to pets, including dogs and cats. The most toxic part is the corm, and if a pet ingests it, they might experience symptoms such as drooling, vomiting, lethargy, or diarrhea. In severe cases, there could be an abnormal heart rhythm or convulsions. If you suspect your pet has ingested part of a gladiolus plant, it is advisable to contact your veterinarian.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Pink
- Height
  2-5 feet (60-150 cm)
- Spread
  1 feet (30 cm)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  7
- Native area
  South Africa

Benefits

General Benefits
- Decorative Appeal: Gladiolus 'Nathalie' adds a touch of elegance to any garden with its striking flowers and tall spikes.
- Cut Flowers: The blooms are long-lasting when cut and are popular for arrangements and bouquets.
- Color Variety: This cultivar offers a range of beautiful colors, enhancing the aesthetic diversity in gardens and landscapes.
- Attracts Pollinators: Gladiolus 'Nathalie' attracts butterflies and other pollinating insects, supporting biodiversity.
- Seasonal Interest: They bloom in the summer, providing vibrant color during a time when many other plants have ceased flowering.
- Easy to Grow: With proper care, Gladiolus 'Nathalie' is relatively easy to cultivate, making it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Versatile Planting: Suitable for borders, beds, and containers, offering flexibility in garden design and space utilization.
- Propagating Potential: They can be propagated from corms, allowing gardeners to expand their collection or share with friends.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Floral arrangements: Gladiolus 'Nathalie' is often used in cut flower arrangements for its striking appearance and tall, elegant stems.
- Wedding decor: Because of their long-lasting blooms and variety of colors, they are popular in wedding bouquets and venue decorations.
- Garden Borders: Gladiolus 'Nathalie' can be planted along borders to provide structure and height to garden designs.
- Color Theming: These flowers can be used to create a color-themed garden space, as they are available in many different shades.
- Photography: The Gladiolus 'Nathalie' is a popular subject for botanical photography due to its vibrant colors and dramatic form.
- Educational uses: Plant biology and hybridization studies sometimes use gladiolus flowers like 'Nathalie' to demonstrate plant genetics and breeding techniques.
- Art inspiration: Artists may use the striking form of the Gladiolus 'Nathalie' as a muse for paintings, illustrations, and other art forms.
- Companion planting: They can be planted with other summer-blooming flowers to support a succession of blooms in the garden.
- Mood enhancement: Due to its bright and cheerful appearance, it can be used in spaces to improve mood and create a positive environment.
- Cultural festivals: Gladiolus flowers are sometimes featured in cultural events and festivals as they symbolize strength, integrity, and persistence.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The plant Gladiolus is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The plant Gladiolus is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Strength of Character: The name "gladiolus" is derived from the Latin word "gladius" which means sword. This plant symbolizes strength of character and honor, resonating with the gladiator's weapon it is named after.
- Integrity: Gladioli are often associated with moral integrity and sincerity. The tall, upright growth of the flower represents a straightforward and principled individual.
- Infatuation: Giving someone a gladiolus can signify that the giver is pierced by the recipient's charm, expressing infatuation or a strong admiration.
- Remembrance: In many cultures, gladioli are flowers that represent remembrance and are often used in funerary arrangements to signify the memory of a loved one.
- Generosity: With its striking and generous blooms, the gladiolus evokes a sense of generosity, abundance, and the giving of oneself to others.

💧

Every 7-10 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to Summer

Propogation

✂️️

Not needed

Pruning

Water
Sword lilies, including the Gladiolus 'Nathalie', should be watered deeply once a week or more often during hot, dry spells. The goal is to provide at least 1 inch of water a week, which can translate to about 0.623 gallons for an area of one square foot. Adjust the amount of water based on rainfall and check the soil moisture frequently; it should be moist but not waterlogged. It's best to water early in the morning to allow foliage to dry out during the day, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.
Light
Sword lilies thrive in full sun and need a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight to grow strong and bloom well. An ideal spot for Gladiolus 'Nathalie' would be an area that receives unobstructed sunlight for most of the day, as intense light is essential for the development of their vibrant flowers.
Temperature
The Gladiolus 'Nathalie' prefers warm conditions and should ideally be grown in temperatures ranging from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. They can survive a minimum temperature of around 40 degrees Fahrenheit but frost can be damaging. Planting should be done after the danger of frost has passed and when the soil has warmed up to at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pruning
Sword lilies generally require little pruning, but removing spent flowers will help encourage new blooms. After the flowering season, typically in late summer or fall, cut back the flower stalks once all the flowers have faded, but leave the foliage until it dies back naturally to help nourish the corms for the next season.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Gladiolus 'Nathalie' thrives best in a well-draining soil mix with a composition of loam, peat, and sand or perlite to enhance drainage. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0 to 7.0) is optimal for its growth.
Repotting
Sword lilies, including Gladiolus 'Nathalie', are not typically repotted as they grow from corms that are planted annually in the spring after the threat of frost has passed.
Humidity & Misting
Sword lilies like Gladiolus 'Nathalie' prefer moderate humidity levels, as too high humidity can promote fungal diseases.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Provide bright light, cool temps, and well-draining soil.
- Outdoor
  Plant corms in spring, full sun, well-drained soil.
- Hardiness zone
  7-10 USDA
Life cycle
Gladiolus 'Nathalie', also known as the Sword Lily 'Nathalie', begins its lifecycle as a corm, a bulb-like storage organ, which is planted in well-drained soil during spring. The corm sprouts and develops a strong stem and long, sword-shaped leaves, followed by the growth of buds that eventually bloom into colorful flowers throughout the summer. After flowering, the plant undergoes pollination, often facilitated by insects, which can result in the formation of new corms alongside the parent corm. As fall approaches, the foliage begins to yellow and die back, signaling the plant's entry into dormancy. Throughout winter, the corms rest underground until the following spring, when they can be divided and replanted to start the cycle anew. If the corms are left undisturbed, they will naturally re-sprout, continuing their life cycle without human intervention.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to Summer
- Gladiolus 'Nathalie', commonly known as gladioli, can be propagated most effectively through the division of corms. The best time to propagate gladioli by corms is in the spring, when the threat of frost has passed and the soil is warm. To propagate, carefully unearth the corms and gently break away the small cormlets from the base of the parent corm. Each cormlet should have a small piece of the base plate to ensure it has the potential to grow into a new plant. Plant these cormlets about 4 inches (10 cm) deep and around 6 inches (15 cm) apart in well-draining soil with full sun exposure. The cormlets will then develop into new flowering plants, continuing the cycle of growth for the Gladiolus 'Nathalie'.